City of Muskogee

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City of Muskogee sewer system needs several expansions to support economic development through improved service to industry, housing, tourism, and waste disposal. We propose the following three-part project. Extend sewer service to manufacturer Oklahoma Interpak. They currently have a lagoon septic system that is at risk of failure. Connecting to city sewer lines eliminates the need for a lagoon system and will enable future business expansion and job creation. This $150,000 project will be completed in 2022. Muskogee?s Hatbox Sports Complex includes sports fields, water park, hiking trail, raceway, skate park, RV parking and indoor event space and is a recreation mecca for northeastern Oklahoma. To encourage overnight stays, we will extend sewer service to the 150 RV sites by installing 800 feet of 8? water line and 150 4? spot connections. Project cost totals $175,000 and will be completed in 2022. The Muskogee Community Landfill serves Muskogee County as a residential and commercial disposal facility. A new 4,100? 8? gravity sewer line will connect to the nearest existing sewer line to remove polluted rainwater (leachate). This will increase landfill capacity and lifespan and reduce water pollution, increasing potential for economic growth. The $350,000 project will be completed in 2022.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Muskogee is the county seat and the largest city in Muskogee County with 36,878 residents (2020 Census). It is a regional hub city with residents from six surrounding counties traveling to Muskogee daily for employment, services, and entertainment. The proposed sewer improvements would benefit residents not only in Muskogee County (67,000), but also Oklahomans throughout the region with improved economic development opportunities, tourism facilities, and waste disposal access. Muskogee is a poor, minority and aging population that has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic due to restricted access to health services and socioeconomic challenges resulting from inadequate infrastructure, limited economic development opportunities, inconsistent broadband access, and access to employment. Vulnerable populations in Muskogee include 15.5% of residents over age 65 and 25.1% of residents under age 18. Further, 24.6% are in poverty. Muskogee is a diverse community with a high percentage of minority residents: 53.2% of its residents White; 15.3% Black; 15.9% American Indian; 0.8% Asian; 10.1% two or more races; and 8.3% Hispanic. In 2020 COVID-19 resulted in the closure of several major retailers and numerous small businesses in Muskogee, which continues to negatively impact sales tax revenues in the long term. The opportunity to improve sewer lines and services will better serve current residents and businesses that are now adversely affected by our inability to address these issues due to financial limitations. The expansion of sewer infrastructure will further promote economic development and provide stability to our community.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Performance measurement will be monitoring of the project and success will be determined by completion of the project on schedule and within budget.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding